Payslips, explained
What each line on a payslip means, what the law says it must show, and how to make one from your payroll.
What is PAYE on a payslip?PAYE on a payslip is the Income Tax your employer takes from your pay for HMRC. What it means, how your tax code affects it, and more.
Your payslip explained, line by lineUnderstanding your payslip: what each part of a UK payslip means, from tax code and NI number to gross pay, deductions, net pay and year-to-date totals.
UK tax codes on a payslipWhat the tax code on your payslip means: the numbers, the letters (L, M, N, T, BR, D0, D1, NT, K, S, C) and emergency codes, as defined by GOV.UK.
Do employers have to give payslips?Yes: UK employers must give employees a payslip on or before payday. What it must show, electronic payslips, and who is not covered, from GOV.UK.
How to make a payslipHow to make a payslip from your payroll: what it must show, the details to gather, the steps in order and the checks to make before payday.
P60 vs P45: what’s the difference?A P60 shows the tax paid on your salary over the tax year; a P45 comes when you leave a job. What each shows, and when you get it.
What is a P60?A P60 is your End of Year Certificate: the pay and tax from one job for the tax year to 5 April. What's on it, who gets one, and by when.
Tax code 1257L explainedWhat tax code 1257L means, how much tax-free pay it gives, and what it leaves you with each month in 2026/27, with worked examples.
BR tax code: what it meansWhat the BR tax code means, why second jobs and pensions get it, and how much tax it takes, with a worked 2026/27 example.
Emergency tax codes: W1, M1, X and the emergency tax rateWhat an emergency tax code means, why new jobs get one, how W1, M1 and X change your tax, and how to get back on the right code.
K tax codes explainedWhat a K tax code means, why it adds to your taxable pay instead of giving a tax-free amount, and the 50% limit, with a worked example.
0T tax code: what it meansWhat the 0T tax code means, why you might have it, how much tax it takes from your pay, and how to get the right code from HMRC.
National Insurance rates 2026/27Employee and employer Class 1 National Insurance rates and thresholds for 2026/27, weekly, monthly and yearly, with worked examples.
Free payroll software in the UK, and where payslips fitHMRC's free Basic PAYE Tools for employers with fewer than 10 employees: what it does, what payroll software must do, and how to produce payslips.
Payslip software for small UK employers: three options and pricesPayslip software for small UK employers: full payroll software, HMRC's free Basic PAYE Tools or a payslip-only tool. What each does and costs (3 Oct 2026).
D0 tax code: what it meansWhat the D0 tax code means, why second jobs get it, how it shows on a payslip and how much tax it takes in 2026/27, plus SD0 in Scotland.
S1257L tax code: Scottish rates explainedWhat the S1257L tax code means, Scotland's six income tax bands for 2026/27, and how it changes tax on a payslip, with worked monthly examples.
D1 tax code: what it meansWhat the D1 tax code means, when HMRC uses it, how it's applied on a payslip at 45% in 2026/27, and what to check if it looks wrong.
NT tax code: what it meansWhat the NT tax code means, who HMRC gives it to, how a payslip shows it, and why National Insurance can still be deducted.
C1257L tax code: Welsh rates explainedWhat the C1257L tax code means, the Welsh income tax rates for 2026/27, and why a payslip on C1257L shows the same tax as 1257L this year.
Statutory Maternity Pay on a payslipHow employers work out Statutory Maternity Pay for 2026/27, show it on a payslip, deduct tax and NI, and reclaim 92% or 109% from HMRC.
Statutory Paternity Pay on a payslipStatutory Paternity Pay for 2026/27: rate, who qualifies, how to show it on a payslip, plus Shared Parental and Adoption Pay, and what you reclaim.
SSP on a Payslip: How to Show Statutory Sick PayLearn how to work out Statutory Sick Pay, show it on a payslip and deduct tax and National Insurance, with worked examples for employers from PayDocs.
P45 Form: An Employer's Guide for When Staff LeaveLearn what a P45 is, when you must give one, what each part is for and how the final payslip fits in. A plain guide for small UK employers from PayDocs.
National Minimum Wage 2026: UK rates from 1 April 2026UK minimum wage from 1 April 2026: £12.71 at 21 and over, £10.85 at 18 to 20, £8 under 18 and for apprentices, with yearly pay and accommodation offset.
Student loan deductions on a payslip: Plans 1, 2, 4, 5 and postgraduate (2026/27)Student loan deductions for 2026/27: Plan 1, 2, 4 and 5 thresholds, 9% and 6% rates, how payroll works them out each payday and how they show on a payslip.
Attachment of earnings orders on a payslip: what employers deductHow a court attachment of earnings order works for employers: protected earnings, priority orders, the £1 admin fee, ranking with a DEO, the payslip.
Deduction from earnings orders (DEOs): an employer's guideHow a Child Maintenance Service DEO works for employers: net earnings, 60% protected earnings, the £1 fee, payment by the 19th, payslips and leavers.
Marriage Allowance tax codes: what M and N mean on a payslipA tax code ending in M means you receive Marriage Allowance; N means you gave it. The 2026/27 codes, what they're worth and how the payslip changes.
Need one word defined, not a whole guide?
Open the UK payroll glossaryFrom the blog, by topic:
PAYE and tax codes Statutory pay and pensions Directors and small companies UK payroll software Employer guides
Ready to make one?
Open the payslip generator